Woman in Ireland dies after being denied abortion- Margaret Canady

Savita Halappanavar, 31, was an Indian dentist who died of an infection after doctors in west Ireland refused to abort her fetus during a miscarriage that lasted three days.

According to her husband, Ms. Halappanavar asked several times over the 3 days for her pregnancy to be terminated. After the first day of severe pain, doctors refused her request for a medical termination because the fetus still had a heartbeat. She spent 2 and a half more days in "agony" until the fetus' heartbeat stopped. After 3 days of excruciating pain for the mother-to-be, the dead fetus was removed, but Ms. Halappanavar was already very sick. She died three days later of septicaemia.

On Wednesday evening, more than 100 protesters united outside the Irish Pariliament in Dublin, calling on legislators to review Ireland's strict anti-abortion laws. Protesters held signs with the word "Shame", as well as observing a moment of silence and lighting candles for Ms. Halappanavar.

The doctors told Ms. Halappanavar that Ireland is a "Catholic" country, even though she is neither Irish or Catholic. In 1925, poet and legislator W.B. Yeats warned that the Catholic majority of Ireland should not "force your theology upon persons who are not of your religion."

Ms. Halappanavar's death symbolizes the need for change in Ireland. While the country may have strong Catholic beliefs or background, as times change, so should its government. It is unacceptable that this woman died because abortions are illegal. It was a miscarriage, the fetus was 17 weeks old, and it was killing the mother; the doctors should have made an exception. By banning abortion because of religion, the Irish government really is forcing their beliefs down everyone's throats, regardless of their personal religion or beliefs. Something needs to change.

Source: http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/11/14/vigils-in-ireland-for-indian-woman-who-died-after-being-denied-abortion/?ref=europe